Main Street program provides results

Monday

Dec 31, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Going from above-ground power lines and cracked sidewalks in 1996 to period light poles, buried power lines, decorative sidewalks and a truly walkable downtown, Uptown Lexington Inc. as part of the N.C. Main Street program has impacted the city in a positive way.

BY REBEKAH CANSLER MCGEEThe Dispatch

Going from above-ground power lines and cracked sidewalks in 1996 to period light poles, buried power lines, decorative sidewalks and a truly walkable downtown, Uptown Lexington Inc. as part of the N.C. Main Street program has impacted the city in a positive way. "I think it saved our uptown," said John Gray, city manager, adding that when anchor businesses such as Belk vacated their downtown location, many citizens and officials were concerned for the survival of the downtown.In 1993, Lexington officials formulated a plan and applied to be part of North Carolina's Main Street Program. The Main Street Program, a comprehensive approach to downtown revitalization, was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. North Carolina was one of six states selected to participate in the National Main Street pilot program, originated in 1980. The program has 61 towns with a designated Main Street and 58 of them are active participants. The program also has 44 small town main streets, where no director is in place."Lexington is slowly developing (as a destination point) for people who miss a walkable downtown experience," said Jo Ellen Edwards, executive director for ULI.Since the inception of the program, more than $31 million have been made through public and private investments. There has also been a net gain of 262 jobs and 87 businesses. A total of 60 buildings have been renovated along with 117 facade improvements. "Being a part of the Main Street program is a tried, true and proven way to redevelop a downtown," Edwards noted.In the past year alone, Lexington's uptown has benefited from $1.6 million in public and private investment. There have been 13 new business started within the district, two buildings renovated, seven building facades improved and 20 new jobs created."Uptown Lexington provides organization and vision for the city to grow. It has done a lot," Gray said.In the 2011-12 time frame for the state of North Carolina and the 58 Main Street communities participating, a total of $96 million has been made through public and private investment; 1,029 new jobs have been created; 259 new business started; 334 buildings renovated; 242 facades improved and 79,683 volunteer hours logged."Main Streets are not only at the geographic center of small towns across North Carolina, they are the center of economic life," said Governor Bev Perdue. "Our successful Main Street programs have proven that revitalizing our downtown areas is a creative and innovative economic development tool that produces impressive results that better prepares them for a sustainable future."One of the first major projects Uptown Lexington asked for was to bury the power lines and install period street lights. Gray said the vision of ULI created a better looking city, more inviting. Edwards mentioned that many people see the events as what ULI does but there are in fact four pillars. Those pillars are promotion, design, economic restructuring and organization. Part of the job of ULI is to work with businesses in the district on the design and building redevelopment to maintain the city's historical character. Another aspect includes fundraising for the events and activities that the Uptown Special Tax doesn't cover. "The businesses are hopefully supported by the local residents but the more we can grow our tourist population, people coming from other counties, the more benefit for the whole business district and downtown," Edwards said. Through each event, the Uptown Strolls and Christmas Open House to name a couple, hundreds of citizens volunteer their time. Approximately 1,450 volunteer hours were logged for the July 2011-12 fiscal year. "I have nothing but absolute positive things to say about Uptown Lexington," Gray said. "The uptown is active and it's vibrant."Rebekah Cansler McGee can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 228, or at rebekah.mcgee@the-dispatch.com.